Omaha Northwest Magnet High School

With the highest graduation rate in the OPS schools (before the learning community was established) Omaha Northwest is an outstanding school. More students go on to attend and complete college, as a percentage of graduating students, than any other high school in the area (See OPS stats). With additional of Magnet Status for law, criminal justice and psycholgy, NWS offers a diverse curriculum for its diverse population.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of 3 currently attending and one who will be attending next year. I have enjoyed NW and believe the teachers, counselors and administrators I have encountered to be exemplary. They go out of their way to help every child. What is severely lcking is parental involvement. The same parents are running every event and sit on the committees and PTSO and such. School is not meant to be free daycare for your children. You must be involved in order to get the maximum results. If there was one thing I would change that would be it.
—Submitted by a parent

Facts about Northwest High School: 1. OPS has turned Northwest into a de facto alternative school. Each school should get an equal number of alternative school students but NW gets many more every year. 2. NW teachers are as qualified as those teaching in the other schools and has award winning teachers in a number of subjects. The state of Nebraska doesn't have lower qualifications or standards for teachers at NW. 3. 70% of NW students are low income, are bussed to school, and get free and reduced lunch. NW has the highest % of poor students in the state of Nebraska (based on enrollment) yet ranks in the top 3 schools in OPS in ALL academic areas. 4. Since 2003, Northwest is one of 3 OPS schools to participate at state in football, basketball, AND baseball. NW finished in the top 10 at the State Track Meet in 2005-07.
—Submitted by a teacher

We will surely miss Mrs. Nared, she has done a fine job with NW high school. this is an up and coming school, it gets better and better.
—Submitted by a parent

Northwest is a strong school for academics and athletics. AP classes, Dual Enrollment and good teachers are just some examples of how academics is strong. Northwest Huskies Baseball Team won district championship this year. Basketball and football and many more sports are a big part of Northwest, and Northwest is having a new football field built this year. I would recommend Northwest to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

I recently graduated from Northwest and am proud to be an alumni. Northwest has not gotten the credit it deserves the last few years! I'll admit, some of our athletics have not been the best, but the academics, variety of honors classes and music programs have really shined in recently. Give it a chance and you'll find someplace to fit in at this school. The teachers and especially the principle are all there working for the students!!!
—Submitted by a student

Many people look down on Northwest, but it is really not such a bad place at all. If you want to learn, take honors and AP classes and participate in school. Our Choir is nationally ranked, are a leadership 'focus' school and our teachers really care about the students. Don't be scared to send your children here! It really is a good school!
—Submitted by a student

The Principal and the teaching staff that our children have had are there to help us . Together we help our children.The Music program is outstanding.
—Submitted by a parent

I feel Northwest High School has high standards for their students. I have attended many Northwest events over the years and feel the students are respectful. The school is diversified. The students learn from the diversification. The faculty is very capable and they challenge the students. Northwest is among the best high schools in the metropolitan area.

Northwest High School is an outstanding school. Students are a high class group of individuals, and they take advantage of the many honors classes and dual enrollment that is offered to them, along with sports, clubs, organizations and more. Their football team has earned a sportmanship award, and this year went to the playoffs. The teachers do well in all aspects of their fields. It is true that a student will get out of it what they put into an education, that is true of any student at any school. The staff is hard working and dedicated and parents are involved. As a parent and as a graduate of Northwest, I do recommend Northwest to anyone.
—Submitted by a parent

Northwest is more concerned about the academic achievement then they are about the saftey of the students there. They have fights between students everyday. Northwest will never be an option for my children to attend. The teachers and administrators are unfair and very single minded. The only thing good that came from Northwest was Mr. Meier and now that he is gone no one can look up to any instructor. And Ms. Rodriguez is rude, I have never met a administrator that was so disrespectful to not only me but my mother.
—Submitted by a student

As a parent and also a graduate I feel that Northwest is a great school. The more you put into it the better it is. If you slack off you will not acheive in anything you do. The teachers try and the principal is great.
—Submitted by a parent

Northwest is a wonderful school that is devoted to offering the best education for each of its students. The staff at Northwest are constantly evaluating ways to increase the expectations and success for all of their students. We have implemented many wonderful opportunties for students to participate. For example, freshmen students are guided by exemplary juniors and seniors to smooth the transition from the middle school to the high school. Every student takes back what they put in to his/her experience. It is important to become involved inside and outside of the classroom. Northwest has plenty of opportunities and the teachers help to develop this potential in their students if the student choose to accept the challenge!
—Submitted by a teacher

I have 2 children at this school and they both love it! My daughter is in the honors program and consistently makes the honor roll. Both of my children are active in sports and clubs. Teachers keep me posted on their classroom progress.
—Submitted by a parent

Northwest was by far the worst experience I ever had in my life! The teachers were horrible. I was such a nervous wreck, that I had to go to counseling and wouldn't go to school until at least 4th period every day. I failed almost every class there, and went on to Marian High where I had a 4.0 grade average. It just goes to show that your enviornment means everything. I would discourage any parents considering Northwest from sending their kids there.
—Submitted by Tonya Jacobsen, a former student

I sent my son there and had a terrible experience. Teachers were noncommunitive, hard to reach and uncaring. I wanted to be informed of my child's lack of effort before it became too late. He stayed for only one year before I changed him to another school.
—Submitted by a parent

Both of my children attended Northwest High School. I found the teachers at Northwest to be very concientious and caring. Both of my children received a qualioty education, and I would have nop qualms about sending my children there in the future.
—Submitted by a parent

I graduated from NWHS back in 2003. I loved my school and the oppourtunities it gave me. However since Mrs. Nared took over, it's been terrible. Her leadership is a shame, and the conditions of the school & the student's learning environment has worsened. Her disrespect towards parents of students that don't agree with her is unexceptable. Even though the extracurricular activities, specifically the broadcasting class is a treat, the school's ugly shadow is held by its Principle. Now my younger sibling currently resides at the school, and the violence, I hear about on a daily basis, is terrible.
—Submitted by G B, a former student

I have had two children at Northwest High School. One has graduated the other and is completing his second year of college with honors. The other will graduate in 2004. She is in the top 5% of her class. She is as well prepared for college as was her brother. I found the school to be a safe and disciplined. It was a place where learning was nutured and encourage. Never in the 6 years that my children have been at Northwest did they ever feel threated or unsafe. The school offers many opportunities for student and parent involvement. The problem is that most parents choose not to get involved in their childs high school. Involvement at the high school level is very important and can be very rewarding. I have be involved all 6 years that my children have been enrolled and I have to say that being around the Northwest high school student has been very rewarding and enjoyable.